St. Lucie County commissioners on July 22 authorized staff to notify the property appraiser of tentative millage rates identical to the current fiscal year while leaving open the option to lower the rates at September public hearings.
The board’s action follows a public presentation by certified public accountant Tom Frey, who told commissioners he believes the county could safely reduce the general fund millage rate by one-tenth of a mill without cutting services, based on projected fund-balance adjustments and modest underspending assumptions. “I think that this shows that we could comfortably do a 0.1 tenth of a mill and lower the millage rate,” Commissioner Townsend said, introducing Frey to the board.
County budget staff cautioned that Frey’s recommendation had not been prepared in coordination with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) or finance and that the suggested cut would draw on the fund-balance forward line and could reduce reserves. “If you do lower it today and we find some sort of challenge… you’re stuck and you can’t go back,” Budget Director Jennifer Hill told the board, reminding commissioners that the tentative rates published in August may be reduced (but not increased) at the September hearings.
Commissioners discussed timing and competing priorities, including potential airport property negotiations and other expenditures the board has been considering. Several commissioners said they preferred to keep the tentative rates the same now and direct staff to analyze Frey’s proposal and other options before the September hearings. “I would like to hear from staff on their thoughts,” Commissioner Lee said.
The board voted to proceed with the current-year rates for the trim notices; staff will return with more detailed analysis ahead of the two September public hearings when the board may lower rates but may not increase them.